Endurance GB is the National Governing Body for the sport of Endurance Riding. It encompasses 23 local Groups throughout England and Wales who organise social events and rides from 8km (5miles) which are non-competitive or social/training rides, right up to 160km competitive rides (100 miles) for the most advanced horse and rider - we pride ourselves on offering a full calendar of events for every level and ambition of rider.

Endurance GB are looking for members to join the Marketing, Communications and Sponsorship committee. If you think you have time to give back to the sport and help continue to drive the growth of our discipline, then please get in touch with Harry Ingram.

In particular, we are looking for assistance delivering our strategy around sponsors. We also require people to help administer the website and work closely with Ride Organisers to help promote their rides.

If you would like to discuss further, please don't hesitate to get in touch. read more ...

BEF announces new Chair appointment - (Published:01 December 2016)

The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has announced the appointment of a new Chair to build on equestrian success in 2016 and support the next phase of the growth in equestrianism in the UK.

Joanne Shaw will join the BEF as a Non-Executive Chair, with immediate effect, following election at the Members Council meeting on 30 November 2016. Joanne has enjoyed a distinguished track-record, including the chairmanship of NHS Direct and Board positions with The Money Advice Service and British Board of Film Classification. Her current roles see her working with Nuffield Health and NHS England. Joanne is also a keen equestrian, competing regularly at local level.

Commenting on her appointment, Joanne says; "I'm delighted to have the opportunity to help continue to shape the future of equestrianism in the UK. I have seen at first-hand how horses can support a diverse community and provide a focus through which very different people can find fulfilment and purpose in their lives".

Lis Astall, Chair of the BEF Council welcomed her to the role adding; "Joanne brings a wealth of strategic and practical experience to the role of Chair and a real passion for horses. It was great to see such a strong field of applicants for the role, further demonstrating the enduring appeal of equestrianism in the UK. I would also like to thank Tim Watson, our senior Independent Director, for the role he has played in stewarding the Board whilst the appointment process has been in progress."

On Saturday 19th November, members and friends gathered to celebrate another year of successes. Those who had worked so hard and covered so many miles in the 2016 season were rewarded by a wide array of tropies and prizes.

Red Dragon is one of Endurance GB’s iconic rides, taking place as it does over the first weekend in October, the event provides riders with a great finale to the season.Generously sponsored by British Horse Feeds it runs from the superb venue of the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, and offers something for everyone, over three days of competition, from Pleasure rides to the top class Red Dragon which is 160kms over two days.

The Red Dragon was won convincingly by Tricia Hirst and Vlacq Bronze Image,

who also took the Best Condition award, although Tricia confirms “it was a very tough ride this year due to the torrential rain on Saturday which then made the route very muddy on Sunday.I was delighted with “Imy” who looked like she hadn’t done anything at the end.”The Hirst family made it a clean sweep with Tricia’s husband David winning the Best Crew award.

The showground, with its unique terraced parking, offers great facilities with plenty of room for camping, corralling, and stabling and from Thursday the endurance world descends on the showground to park trailers, pitch tents and build corrals.Everyone has their favourite spot and Cornish endurance rider Sue Speed, winner of the 3-day Dragon’s Days, has had the same corner for years!

Results at Red Dragon are hugely influenced by the weather, and this year was no exception.On Friday it was dry and sunny, with riders finding the route riding well, but on Saturday, the first day for the top classes, the weather deteriorated with heavy rain all day.Vetting at base and at the Painscastle half-way vet-gate takes place under cover: however, out on the route riders, horses, and crews got very wet and very muddy!

Sunday started out with very low cloud but riders were rewarded with some stupendous views and a clear blue sky, when they finally got to the top of Aberdew Hill, the first of many climbs, where ride photographer, David Saunders was waiting to take their picture.The route was made testing by the previous day’s rain as June Davies and Shirajah found to their cost when they took a nasty fall, however the ‘spirit of endurance’ was in full force as other riders helped June back on board. As June reports, “It was extremely painful sitting in the saddle but my heart-felt thanks goes to those wonderful riders who surrounded and escorted me to walk to the check-point. I was able to get some painkillers from my crew and managed to complete the ride, albeit with broken ribs. I can’t thank those supportive riders enough; their actions are a true reflection on how wonderful this sport really is.”

After the event riders took to social media to make their appreciation felt for the ride, its organisers, and the team of volunteers who make it all happen.Ride organiser, John Hudson, had this to say, “Once again the British Horse Feeds’ Red Dragon was a great success. Our thanks go to the landowners and huge team of volunteers that work together to enable us to run the event so smoothly. We are also most grateful to British Horse Feeds who have sponsored the festival for the past 6 years and have now kindly agreed to continue as title sponsor for 2017 and 2018.”

Choose your first graded ride by looking through the handbook or the list of rides online, entries for a ride can be made online or sending in a ride entry form with a SAE. Send your entry in before the Ride Close Date, then a week before your ride, your ride details will arrive so that you can plan your journey and your ride. You should have your horse passport with you as the law requires but it probably will not be checked at the ride.
(Photo by Esther Young and Kerry Dawson)

Aim to arrive at the Venue a good 30-45 minutes before your vet time. Before you unload check in with the Secretary, take your membership card, horse registration and log book with your master card already filled in. Collect your numbered bib and check the notice board for any changes to the route or last minute rider instructions

Put out buckets of water and hay net up for your return. Put a bridle on or a controller head collar to ensure your horse is under control. Remove any bandages or travel boots. If cold or clipped leave the rug on. Put your numbered bib on!

Take your horse and vet sheet to the farrier for the
shoes to be checked. Then on to the vet who will ask you for your
vet sheet. Any rugs will need to be removed. He will take your horse’s
pulse, check his legs and back and then ask you to trot the horse up for approximately 30 metres and back. Hopefully all is well and you can start! They will keep the vet sheet ready for your return.

Walk back to the trailer and tack up. Put an emergency sticker on you and on your horse’s tack. Remember to take your map
case and map, talk round and mobile phone (on). Attach your drink and holder to your saddle if needed.

Walk to the start, the timekeeper will give you your start time make a note of this time. Set off quietly and try to ride at a consistent pace. You need to be riding between 8 and 15kph, around 10kph is a good target speed (ie a mixture of trotting and cantering, with not very much walking!) So 40k will take 4hours at 10kph.

On returning to the venue (finish) give the timekeeper your number, they will tell you your finishing time. Dismount and walk back to the trailer. You have up to 30 minutes to get the horse’s pulse down to below 64 - hopefully a lot lower. Untack and put head collar on, tie up to trailer. Offer him a drink but do not feed until after vetting.

Check the horse’s pulse then depending on the reading and the weather, pour or sponge water over neck, back and the big veins on the hind legs unless it is cold and wet!

Try and reduce his heart rate.

Check there are no stones in the horse’s feet. Keep checking the pulse and, when it is as low as you think you can get it, walk quietly to the vets for your final vetting; the same procedures will occur that happened at the beginning.

Remember you must present to the vet within 30 minutes or you will be eliminated. You may have to queue but, providing you have told the vet steward you are there, that is fine. You may need the 30 minutes to begin with but the sooner you can present with a low pulse the better.

After vetting go back to the trailer, feed, let your horse relax before loading. Allow at least 30 minutes before going to the secretary for your mastercard, vet sheet, grade and rosette after your final vetting.